Every year thousands of people visit the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. With a copy of Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory in hand, they will enjoy an introduction both to archaeology in general and to sites within San Juan Island National Historic Park.

The Coast Salish people inhabited the San Juans for 5,000 years. One important site on San Juan Island, Cattle Point, was a summer camp where residents engaged in fishing and shellfish harvesting. Native peoples’ recollections of activities there have been confirmed by physical evidence in the form of shell middens, fish bones, and other artifacts.

Another San Juan site, English Camp, was a winter village site for 2,000 years. Structural remains provide insight into how people’s lives and activities changed over time. Tools found at the site have allowed archaeologists to deduce that early residents ate camas bulbs and other plants, engaged in woodworking, weaving, fishing, and carving, and manufactured and used stone tools.

Stein’s discussions of the sites and archaeological practices are enhanced by numerous illustrations. Clear photos of different types of artifacts, topographical maps, and other images help the reader to understand how people lived in the San Juans thousands of years ago.

Product Description

Review

Stein's pragmatic viewpoint has resulted in a boot that is a primer in archaeology as much as an historical document on how the ancient inhabitants of the San Juan Islands must have lived.

(Northwest Science and Technology)

About the Author

Julie K. Stein is a curator of archaeology at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture; professor of anthropology; and divisional dean of computing, facilities, and research in the College of Arts and Sciences -- all at the University of Washington.

Most helpful customer reviews

This book was chock full 'o information, but at times was a little hard to read. At the same time, it provided me the information I was looking for, and provided me insight of the natural hitory of the area.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

I ordered this book because I remembered the San Juan Islands as a berry picking place for some of our Native Americans and others. The archaeological digs certainly give a different viewpoint of a place that was once occupied by Native Americans and their past activities and livelihood.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Full of knowledgeOct. 23 2002

By
C. Allan
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

This book was chock full 'o information, but at times was a little hard to read. At the same time, it provided me the information I was looking for, and provided me insight of the natural hitory of the area.